July 25, 2018 Comments (0) Views: 1515 Biotech, Biotech Briefing, Blog

Biotech Briefing: San Diego Researchers Make Connection Between Microbiome and Diabetes

Plus: The U.S. House of Representatives passes bill to repeal medical device tax

Reports + Research

Gossamer Bio Closes $230 Million Series B Financing

Following a $100 million Series A financing early this year, San Diego-based Gossamer Bio has closed a $230 million Series B financing to advance clinical trials for multiple early- and late-stage drug candidates focused on immune and metabolic diseases. The funding round was led by Hillhouse Capital and supported by new investors Invus, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, The Baupost Group, and Polaris Partners. Existing investors ARCH Venture Partners and Omega Funds also participated in the funding round. In June, the company and Aerpio Therapeutics closed a licensing deal worth up to $420 million for a drug candidate to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

Salk and UCSD Researchers Make Connection Between Microbiome and Diabetes

The study from Salk and UCSD researchers showed that treating mice with antibiotics depleted their microbiomes and decreased levels of glucose in their blood. The research has implications for understanding the role of the microbiome in diabetes and the side effects seen in people who are being treated with high levels of antibiotics. The study appeared in the journal Nature Communications.

Banyan Biomarkers Publishes Data on Clinical Study of Biomarker for Traumatic Brain Injury

The large clinical study, which analyzed nearly 2,000 patients at 22 sites in the United States in Europe, showed that Banyan Biomarkers’ blood test, called Banyan BTI, can be used to rule out the need for a head CT scan in adults with a suspected traumatic brain injury. In February, the FDA authorized for marketing Banyan BTI as part of its Breakthrough Devices Program. Banyan is currently working with the company’s partners to make the blood test available in the United States.

The U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bill to Repeal Medical Device Tax

The House passed H.R. 184, the Protect Medical Innovation Act, to fully and permanently repeal the 2.3 percent medical device excise tax. Biocom President and CEO Joe Panetta said, “This bipartisan legislation puts an end to short-term suspensions of the tax which have made it very difficult for medical technology (medtech) innovators to make long-term plans for their development.” The tax went into effect in 2013, but Congress had temporarily suspended it until 2020. The bill will now go to the Senate for a vote.

Read + Listen

POW! Podcast of the Week

The BioTech Nation podcast looks at The Science of Curiosity and interviews Dr. Stephen Kingsmore of the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine on their experience implementing rapid genome analysis for sick newborns.

Events

It’s Happening Here

July 26
The Southern California Biomedical Council will host the SoCalBio Networking Forum: Future of Nucleic Acid Medicine on Thursday, July 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Duarte, California

August 1
The San Diego Biotechnology Network (SDBN) will host the SDBN Summer Synergies Speed Networking on August 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Karl Strauss Tasting Room.

Client disclosure: Banyan Biomarkers